We will be sending out the numerous congratulations cards with money enclosed, we will attend several graduation parties and share hugs with the beaming graduates and the proud (if not tearful) parents. And all of that is important. But as I sit here with the latest round of announcements, I am thinking about what I would say to these graduates that would help them as they move forward. Not that I am all that smart or have an immense amount of wisdom to share. This is the thought that came to me:
Go out and Walk Your Path.
And this is what I mean by that statement. A roadmap, if you will, to walking your own path in life.
1. Walk with Boldness. Contrary to what anyone else might say, you have to chose your own path.
It shouldn't be chosen for you. Now, I'm not saying to completely ignore someone else's advice. Instead, listen to their advice. Let it sink in. Wear it around and see if it sits well within your spirit and on your shoulders. If it sits well with you, if you can envision this path as one that will bring you satisfaction, it may be the correct path for you.
However, you need to know that sometimes your path may be vastly different than the one that others would choose for you. I know that you may have taken umpteen thousand personality and aptitude tests that said you should be a computer programer, but if you do not like computers, it's probably not the path for you. Aptitude doesn't always equate to career choice. I love this quote, which says it all:
"Never let people who do not have to live with the results make your decisions."
I would like to stop and acknowledge that choosing your own path can be scary. I mean, who really knows what they want to be when they grow up at 18 or 24? I'm going to let you in on a BIG secret. Most of the confident adults that you are currently surrounded with had no clue what they wanted to do or be at 18 or 24 either. Some did, but not all. It's ok to not have it all figured out. Sometimes you just have to step forward on your path with boldness, and trust that it will all work out in the end.
2. Your path may contain unexpected blind corners. In life, very few pathways are completely straight forward. Don't be discouraged if you are suddenly presented with a blind corner you didn't see coming. You may have to slow down and not go so fast. You will probably need to turn over control to God during these times and trust that he sees every part of the path that you are on, and he will guide you through. Sometimes these corners are switchbacks, where you feel like you are turning around and going back the way you came. Be patient. You may be backtracking a little bit, but what you don't see is that while you may be heading South again instead of North, you are making progress anyway, because you are climbing in elevation. And the only way for you to climb in elevation safely was on a switchback corner.
The other thing to note is that you may not recognize that you are on a switchback until you are past it and can then look down and back to realize the progress you made. Switchbacks are hard to get through, but they are not dead ends.
3. Make sure your path is wide enough to allow others to walk with you. Surround yourself with friends who will encourage you on your path. Allow room on your path for those who can teach you something about the path you are on. Those who have walked a similar path and have wisdom that they can share with you to help you navigate your path. Never let pride narrow your path. Pride says, I know it all. Instead, let humility widen your path. Humility says, I have a lot to learn. Let love add lanes to your path, so that it includes friends, family, and a spouse who will help ease your journey by supporting you, traveling with you, and loving you.
Most importantly, make sure your path has a dedicated lane for God. Make sure that you heed all the traffic signs that are placed in God's lane.
Be generous with your path. There will come a time when you can invite others to walk along with you, so that you too may share the wisdom you have gathered with them. Make room on your path for those who may have lost theirs. Help them, guide them, encourage them. Help them find their own path. Celebrate with others when their paths are made straight and easy. Guide them when they can't see their path but you can. Encourage them when they are facing switchbacks on their own path.
4. Take some time to stop and appreciate your path. Every once and a while it is good to pull over and take a look back. When looking back, be grateful for how far you have come. Be grateful for each lane in your path and the person who walked in that lane beside you. Take a look at the horizon and be grateful for all the beautiful scenery around your path. Be in awe of all the roadsigns that God has placed on your path that helped you, guided you, encouraged you, and blessed you.
With that, I would like to say to all who are starting out on their life path and to those who are still running their path, finish strong! Run your race with endurance, grace, love, generosity, peace, and gratitude. Although you can stop for a few minutes to look back with gratitude, don't stay there. Remember to turn around and keep moving forward on your path.
With that, I'll leave with with a few photos of some of the beautiful pathways I have enjoyed.
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